Leland and Sophie made their way out of the sea of the people and eventually ended up in a more isolated area outside of the town. If there was anything that Sophie learned was that she didn't exactly need to be with a lot of people.
She was actually being more sympathetic to the duke's earlier comment that he didn't like crowds. So, after the man purchased a basket of different food and even a blanket upon her request, they ended up sitting behind a tree away from the rest.
"I expected that the two of us were going to sightsee, but this is also lovely," Leland commented as he eyed his mate do something unexpected for him.
He was aware that compared to him, Sophie could have spent all day in the festival without running out of energy. She seemed to enjoy going out and be among the crowd, whereas he disliked them.
"Yes, it really is," Sophie bobbed her head excitedly. They were sitting under a big oak tree on a small hill where they could see the market from.
"And what are we doing instead…?" Leland cast his glance around them.
"Well, I think you would appreciate a picnic, my lord," Sophie placed the blanket on the grass and gave the duke a small smile.
While she actually enjoyed being in the festive crowd, she also didn't mind sitting down and was grateful if they could rest a bit like this.
She didn't want to overdo it just because she wanted to enjoy what it was like to have fun by sightseeing at the festival. Especially because she had some money on hand which she could use to buy nice things for herself.
She must not forget that she was pregnant and had to be more mindful of her body. Leland actually sensed a bit of her tiredness and was more than happy to just sit down and join her underneath the cool shade of the tree.
He found himself surprised when Sophie immediately started preparing a quick meal.
"Would you like some meat? Some fruit jam?" Sophie had a loaf of bread and actually bought some supplies to distract the lord from realizing that her money pouch had gone missing.
"I think I can do it for myself, Sophia. You don't need to do it for me," Leland tried to say but Sophie was insistent and so he gave an answer. "I wouldn't mind some of the strawberries that you bought earlier."
"Oh, nice choice. The farmer we bought from earlier said they were freshly picked." Sophie smiled brightly. She smoothly picked one up and then offered it up to him. "They're probably really juicy…"
Leland noticed how Sophie trailed off when she realized that she was holding the fruit out to him, so he quickly took a bite and then chuckled. "They're quite succulent and sweet. Temptingly so."
"Ahh… is that so?" Sophie managed to say.
Leland nodded and reached out to the small bowl. He took another bite of the strawberry and looked at his mate with a deep look. "Mhmm, I could eat them all day."
Sophie's eyes widened and for a moment she felt her cheeks heat up. Did he just call a strawberry tempting, succulent, and something he could eat every day?
They were a very provocative choice of words that could mean something else.
Was this the duke's way of trying to flirt with her… or did she just have a dirty mind?!
Eating fruits was supposed to be a very simple occasion and yet somehow, she found herself at a loss for words.
Sophie swallowed and only smiled at Leland. She didn't want to speak right now because she might say something stupid or else. And yet she couldn't help but wonder if the duke was trying to make a move on her?
Leland felt a twinge of excitement wash over him and before the Alpha knew what happened next, his entire body was already heated up from just seeing his mate sitting across from him. If he reached out right now, he could hold her chin and then tilt her head just so.
How would her lips feel?
Leland quickly picked up the sandwich that Sophie prepared for him and started to eat fast. He needed to distract himself from the idea of touching his mate but it was a wave of desire that suddenly attacked him so badly. He didn't even know where it started from.
Sophie was relieved to see the man finally start to appreciate the food she made for him and also started to eat as well. She was aware that she was only a human who couldn't help but feel desires for another person, but it didn't mean that she needed to act on them.
Sophie took a deep breath and looked at the man currently eating his sandwich. She also ate hers slowly. This picnic actually reminded her of the picnic she had with Nicholas.
They could talk about so many things while eating simple food from the picnic basket. Nicholas showed great interest in everything Sophie had to say. He also shared his experience which Sophie found fascinating.
She was just a poor girl from the countryside… a country bumpkin, while Nicholas was a nobleman who had seen the world. Nicholas was probably attracted to her simple life, while Sophie was curious to know about the amazing places he had visited. That's why they never ran out of things to talk about
However, it was different now. Duke Romanov was not a talkative person and Sophie didn't know what topic would interest him. Since she didn't want to be presumptuous and said the wrong thing, the woman chose to eat in silence.
Leland opened his mouth to say something. He knew Sophie was reluctant to chat after they sat down for this picnic because she was worried Leland would not find her topics interesting.
So, he wanted to make her see that he actually loved hearing her speak, even when it was trivial or nonsense. However, Leland truly didn't know what to say to start the conversation rolling.
So, he closed his mouth again, and let out a soft sigh.
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